Novelty illumination device



MaI'Ch 31, 1964 F. CONVERTINE NOVELTY ILLUMINATION DEVICE Filed March 6, 1962 FlG.l

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United States Patent 3,127,539 NOVELTY ILLUMINATION DEVICE Frank Convertine, Massapeqna, NY. (292 E. Merrick Road, Lindenhurst, N.Y.), assignor of fifteen percent to Leonard H. King, Valley Stream, N.Y.

Filed Mar. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 177,824 2 Claims. (Cl. 315-179) The present invention relates to an electric light display device wherein novel switching means are employed to illuminate a light bulb in an irregular lighting pattern whereby this light bulb is given a flickering effect, and wherein this light bulb is employed to illuminate a translucent member designed to resemble a candle flame, whereby a high degree of simulation of a candle flame is achieved.

It is envisaged in the present invention to provide a simple low cost electrical novelty device whereby a candle flame is simulated with a high degree of accuracy, and without need for moving parts in the device. Such a device is especially adapted for use as a Christmas tree ornament, or as a Christmas window decoration. For the latter application, the present invention is embodied in a simulated candlestick. It will be appreciated that such a device must be low in cost and adapted for mass production to enable it to obtain public acceptance in a crowded, competitive field. However, the advantages of troublefree operation and a high degree of safety due to lack of moving parts, together with the effective simulation of a candle flame, impart a utility and efficiency not found in conventional devices of this type.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an electrical illumination device adapted to simulate the flicker and glow of a candle flame.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide electrical switch means having an irregular and intermittent operating characteristic.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a light switching device with an absence of moving parts, and having a high degree of safety and reliability.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide novel illumination means of simple construction adapted to be manufactured at low cost.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be pointed out in greater particularity or will become apparent from the following description and the drawings appended thereto in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, shown partly broken away, of a device of the present invention; and showing a diagram of the electrical circuit employed in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the translucent member employed in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 33 of FIG. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention, characterized generally by the numeral 10, shown as incorporated in a display of two simulated candles. It will be understood that numerous variations in design and decoration, also in the number of lamps, can be employed using the electrical circuit set forth hereinbelow. A source of alternating current 12 is in series with at least one light bulb 14 and neon lamp 16 to define a closed electrical circuit. Capacitor 18 is in parallel with neon tube 16. Additional light bulbs, such as 14a in the present illustration, can be placed in the circuit as desired. It will be noted by those skilled in the art that the circuit is similar to that of the saw tooth generator type, wherein the alternate charge and discharge of the capacitor, in parallel with a neon tube, is adapted to provide a cyclical rise and fall in potential to the cut-off point of the neon 3,127,539 Patented Mar. 31, 1 .964

tube. This is modified in the present device in that an alternating current source is used instead of the conventional direct current source and a light bulb is used as the output load. This has a variable resistance, depending on whether the bulb is illuminated or off. Such a circuit configuration results in a highly'irregular firing cycle for the neon tube, with consequent irregular flickering effect on light bulb 14. A preferred neon bulb and capacitor is the type employed as a fluorescent starter, for example, Sylvania Electric Corp. FS-Z.

Translucent member 20 is adapted to resemble a candle flame in configuration and coloring, as indicated in FIG. 1. Translucent member 20 is conveniently formed of a translucent plastic such as methyl methacrylate, polystyrene, or the like, and molded in an irregular flameshaped outline. Yellow and red paint may be applied to the surfaces to add to the resemblance. Member 20 is mounted proximate to light bulb 14' and is adapted to be indirectly illuminated by the bulb, which is normally concealed from view inside the device. In the embodiment herein illustrated, a bulb is positioned in the barrel of a simulated candlestick 22 supported by conventional base means 24. Member Ztl is mounted upon a translucent disc 26 which transmits light from bulb 14. As explained hereinabove, this light is of a flickering irregular nature, hence translucent member will emit a glow simulating that of a candle flame. Similarly, bulb 14, indicated in phantom, operates to illuminate translucent member 20', thus providing a display here illustrated as that of a pair of candlesticks.

As shown in FIG. 2, translucent member Zfla may be given a more realistic simulation to a candle flame by molding it in three-dimensional form with hollow core 28, as shown in cross-section, FIG. 3. This permits the light received from lamp 14, FIG. 1, to make the top portions of member Zita glow and flicker in a more realistic manner. Member 29a may be colored in shades of red and yellow to imitate a candle flame, as desired.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated and it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A novelty illumination device comprising:

a source of alternating current in series with a light bulb and a neon tube, said neon tube having a capacitor in parallel therewith, whereby an irregular firing cycle is imparted to said neon tube, said light bulb having a correspondingly irregular illumination characteristic; and

a translucent member adapted to resemble a candle flame in configuration and coloring, said translucent member disposed proximate to and adapted to be illuminated by said light bulb, said light bulb normally concealed from view, whereby said translucent member displays an irregular flickering light effect simulating the glow of a candle flame.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said translucent member is provided with a disc-like base portion, said base portion being provided with a central aperture, and a decorative portion mounted on said base portion, said decorative portion having the configuration of a candle flame, and being formed with a hollow core contiguous with the said aperture of said base portion, whereby said decorative portion is adapted to be illuminated by said light bulb.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,967,976 Lanata Jan. 10, 1961 

1. A NOVELTY ILLUMINATION DEVICE COMPRISING: A SOURCE OF ALTERNATING CURRENT IN SERIES WITH A LIGHT BULB AND A NEON TUBE, SAID NEON TUBE HAVING A CAPACITOR IN PARALLEL THEREWITH, WHEREBY AN IRREGULAR FIRING CYCLE IS IMPARTED TO SAID NEON TUBE, SAID LIGHT BULB HAVING A CORRESPONDINGLY IRREGULAR ILLUMINATION CHARACTERISTIC; AND A TRANSLUCENT MEMBER ADAPTED TO RESEMBLE A CANDLE FLAME IN CONFIGURATION AND COLORING, SAID TRANSLUCENT MEMBER DISPOSED PROXIMATE TO AND ADAPTED TO BE ILLUMINATED BY SAID LIGHT BULB, SAID LIGHT BULB NORMALLY CONCEALED FROM VIEW, WHEREBY SAID TRANSLUCENT MEMBER DISPLAYS AN IRREGULAR FLICKERING LIGHT EFFECT SIMULATING THE GLOW OF A CANDLE FLAME. 